Dangers of texting and driving are not sinking in

Alas, the two have combined for deadly consequences on our nation’s highways, as reported earlier this month in an Associated Press story.

Police agencies are grappling with motorists who text while they drive. Our logical side tells us when barreling down the highway at 70 mph, it’s ill-advised — idiotic, actually — to take one’s eyes of the road for several seconds to respond with an “LOL” or something longer to a friend’s text.

But that is exactly what is happening, with predictably fatal results.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the number of deaths attributed to cellphone distraction rose from 406 in 2014 to 476 in 2015 — and safety advocates say the number is probably higher.

How much of a danger is it? Studies show that texting while driving increases the accident risk by 23 times and is like having a blood alcohol level of 0.19 percent, more than double the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Which leads us to muse: If texting while driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence, shouldn’t the penalties be just as severe?

Stronger laws and continuous public relations campaigns have driven home the message about driving under the influence; it’s still a serious problem, but the general public has a far better understanding of its perils.

One can argue that texting while driving calls for similar steps: stronger penalties and a concerted campaign that drives home the driving danger.

Even as many motorists receive their text messages, too many are not getting the message about its dangers.